University of Utah Athletics

SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah football program held its first scrimmage of spring ball, taking in 80 live plays with special teams worked in between sets. 

The anticipation from the Utes was clear during live plays as several position groups shined.

Tyler Huntley continued to prove his versatility on the field with his passes being on point and his ability to scramble being unwavering. He had multiple big plays, including a 17-yard pass to Devin Brumfield in the first set of plays of the scrimmage. 

The running backs, including Brumfield, showed their depth today with Devonta'e Henry-Cole and TJ Green also getting in key reps. Green had a strong 15-yard rush down the middle for the Utes with Henry-Cole putting up key breaks to the outside that proved costly for the defense. 

Demari Simpkins, Solomon Enis and Bryan Thompson all had good showings for the wide receivers. Jason Shelley and Enis linked up for a 20-plus yard gain while Thompson put on the moves with some jukes on the outside for a first down. 

On defense, John Penisini picked up right where he left off last season and put consistent pressure on the quarterback that included a goal-line stop. Manny Bowen showed his consistency at linebacker, also giving a helping hand on a goal-line stop and coming away with an interception.  

Terrell Burgess had a strong knockdown in the end zone for the secondary with Nephi Sewell also coming up with a huge tackle for loss at cornerback.  

Quarterback Tyler Huntley
On what the biggest improvement has been in the offense since day one of spring…
"I would say execution, as in our alignments, where we are going with the ball, things like that. It shows that we have been practicing. Ball security has also gotten better."

Running Back Devonta'e Henry-Cole 
On if he likes the new offense with his ability to run downhill…
"I love it. I have played that was since high school so I am really comfortable in this offense. It is amazing because every chance I get I try to execute to the best of my ability. The offense right now is great and all of the running backs love it."

Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
On how today went…
"You know we are at nine practices today and we have six to go. The key now is to come out of next Saturday better than we were today. I like where we are and we will try to stay healthy since that is one of the primary objectives of spring. But there is still a lot of work to do."

On the placekicking competition…
"Yeah well Chayden Johnston came into spring as our No. 1 guy and has struggled a little bit. He is a very talented kicker, he has a strong leg and great trajectory but the bottom line is that you have to hit it through the uprights. Right now, he is not as accurate as Jadon Redding, but at no means is the competition that is solved. Chayden is a guy that has a ton of upside, he is just in a funk right now and needs to get back in the grove."

On the running back competition…
"It is ongoing and will be in fall camp too since we are adding a few really good backs in the fall. All of the backs are great though. It is great to have Devonta'e Henry-Cole back and he is one of the most instinctive runners we have. And then TJ Green did some good things today and he has great speed."